Curtis Ofori Bio
Curtis Ofori, born on November 20, 2005, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left-back. He is best known for his time with Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls, where he developed through the club’s youth academy before signing a homegrown contract. Standing at 178 cm tall, Ofori became one of the youngest professional signings in the history of the New York Red Bulls organization.
Born and raised in Hopewell Junction, New York, Ofori is of Ghanaian descent. He spent his formative years playing for local club sides before being recruited into the New York Red Bulls academy at a young age. His professional career began with New York Red Bulls II, the reserve affiliate of the New York Red Bulls in the USL Championship.
Early Life and Background
Curtis Ofori was born on November 20, 2005, in Hopewell Junction, New York, in the United States. He is of Ghanaian descent, reflecting his family’s heritage. Growing up in the Hudson Valley region of New York State, Ofori was exposed to soccer at a very young age.
Ofori first began playing soccer at the age of three in nearby Wappingers Falls, New York. He later joined the Wappingers Lightning, a local club team that was coached by his father. This early involvement with the sport helped him develop his skills and laid the foundation for his future career in professional soccer.
In 2017, at the age of eleven, Ofori was recruited into the youth setup of the New York Red Bulls. He joined the club’s under-13 side and began progressing through the ranks of the prestigious academy. By 2020, he was playing for the under-19 team, where he scored his first goal for the side against Cedar Stars Monmouth.
Path to Soccer
Curtis Ofori’s path to professional soccer began in earnest when he joined the New York Red Bulls academy in 2017. The academy provided him with elite-level coaching and competitive matches that helped him grow as a player. Over the course of his time in the academy, he scored a total of 5 goals in 67 matches across various age-group teams.
While with the Red Bulls youth academy, Ofori was selected to be part of the roster for the United States under-14 boys national talent identification east team in April 2019. This recognition at a national level highlighted his potential as a rising talent in American soccer.
On July 30, 2022, Ofori made his first team debut in a friendly match against FC Barcelona, which resulted in a 2-0 loss. Although the result was not favorable, the experience of playing against one of the world’s most storied clubs served as a significant milestone in his development as a professional player.
Curtis Ofori Career
Early Career (2021-2022)
Curtis Ofori’s professional career began on March 22, 2021, when he signed a professional contract with New York Red Bulls II, the reserve affiliate of the New York Red Bulls in the USL Championship. At 15 years and 122 days old, he became the youngest professional signing in Red Bulls II history. Prior to signing, Red Bulls II head coach John Wolyniec stated that Ofori had trained with Red Bulls II the previous season.
Ofori made his senior debut for New York Red Bulls II on May 7, 2021, against the Charleston Battery, coming on as a late substitute in a 1-1 draw. He spent the next two years gaining valuable experience in the USL Championship while continuing to train with the senior team.
New York Red Bulls II Breakthrough (2021-2025)
After establishing himself with New York Red Bulls II, Ofori continued to develop his game in the USL Championship. On June 1, 2024, he scored his first goal as a professional in a 3-2 loss to local rival New York City FC II. He followed this up with his second goal of the season on September 1, 2024, in a 4-2 loss to Carolina Core FC.
On November 8, 2025, Ofori appeared as a starter for New York Red Bulls II in a 3-3 tie in regulation against Colorado Rapids 2. The match went to a penalty shootout at Sports Illustrated Stadium, which New York won 4-3, claiming the club’s first MLS NEXT Pro Cup title. This victory marked a significant milestone in Ofori’s career and the history of the reserve team.
New York Red Bulls Era (2023-2025)
On December 1, 2022, it was announced that Ofori had signed a homegrown contract with the New York Red Bulls, officially starting from the 2023 season. This contract made him part of the senior Major League Soccer squad and represented the culmination of his years of development within the club’s system.
As a left-back for the New York Red Bulls, Ofori has continued to grow within the professional ranks. His progression from the academy to the first team illustrates the success of the club’s homegrown player development pathway.
Playing Style and Strengths
Curtis Ofori plays as a left-back, a position that requires both defensive solidity and the ability to contribute to attacking play. His development within the New York Red Bulls academy system has provided him with a strong tactical foundation. His experience at various age levels has helped him build the physical and technical attributes required for the professional game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Ofori’s most notable achievements is his status as the youngest professional signing in New York Red Bulls II history. Additionally, his participation in the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup final, which New York Red Bulls II won, stands as a career highlight. His first team debut against FC Barcelona in 2022 also remains a memorable moment in his young career.
Curtis Ofori Career Wins
Curtis Ofori has accumulated a modest but growing list of achievements in his early professional career. His most significant team accomplishment came in 2025 when he helped New York Red Bulls II win the MLS NEXT Pro Cup title.
New York Red Bulls II Highlights
Ofori scored his first professional goal on June 1, 2024, against New York City FC II, and added a second goal later that season against Carolina Core FC. His most significant team achievement came on November 8, 2025, when he started in the MLS NEXT Pro Cup final against Colorado Rapids 2, helping his team secure a 4-3 penalty shootout victory after a 3-3 draw in regulation.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his club achievements, Ofori was selected for the United States under-14 boys national talent identification east team in April 2019, representing a notable individual recognition during his youth career.
Curtis Ofori Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Curtis Ofori comes from a family with deep roots in soccer. His father served as the coach of the Wappingers Lightning, the local club team that Ofori played for during his early years. This family connection to the sport played a significant role in shaping his early development and passion for soccer.
Ofori is of Ghanaian descent, connecting him to a country with a rich soccer tradition. This heritage, combined with his upbringing in the United States, has contributed to his identity as an American player with international roots.
Personal Life
Curtis Ofori was born and raised in Hopewell Junction, New York. He began playing soccer at the age of three and has continued to pursue the sport at the highest professional levels in the United States. His early exposure to the game through his family laid the groundwork for his successful transition into professional soccer.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a defining year for Curtis Ofori. Playing primarily for New York Red Bulls II, he contributed goals throughout the season, including his first professional goal against New York City FC II and another against Carolina Core FC. His performances throughout the year helped position his team for a deep playoff run.
The season culminated in the MLS NEXT Pro Cup final on November 8, 2025, where Ofori started for New York Red Bulls II against Colorado Rapids 2. After a 3-3 draw in regulation, his team won 4-3 in a penalty shootout at Sports Illustrated Stadium, claiming the club’s first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Cup title.
This championship victory marked a high point in Ofori’s young career and demonstrated his value as a starter for the reserve team. As he continues to develop within the New York Red Bulls organization, his 2025 performances suggest a promising future in Major League Soccer.